FLIX: BUILD A DRONE FROM SCRATCH ON A CHEAP ESP32
A complete quadcopter whose entire flight controller runs on a low-cost ESP32 — CAD, firmware and a Gazebo simulator, all open.
DronesElectronics
- difficulty
- ●●●●○
- time
- several weekends
- license
- not specified
- repo
- repo ACTIVE1,100 stars
●●●●○ · several weekends · not specified · 1,100 stars · repo ACTIVE
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- 3D printer + filament — printable parts — files are in the repo
- Electronic parts — full list with part numbers in the repo BOM
- Dev board / microcontroller — runs the project firmware
- Soldering kit + basic tools — one-time buy, serves every future build
Partner
COMPAREE VERDICT
Flix is the drone build for people who want to understand every layer, not just bolt together a kit. Oleg Kalachev wrote a complete flight controller that runs on a cheap ESP32 — no Betaflight, no Pixhawk — and open-sourced the whole thing: STL and STEP frame files, a BOM, roughly two thousand lines of Arduino firmware, and a proper build and flight guide. The part we really like is the included Gazebo simulator and Python library, so you can learn to fly (and debug your code) without crashing real hardware first. It's a genuine several-weekend project and, being a flying machine, demands respect for props and local drone rules — but few projects teach you drones this thoroughly, this cheaply.
IN THE REPO
NOT IN THE REPO
- —Complete from-scratch package: STL + STEP frame, a BOM, ~2k lines of Arduino firmware, a full build/flight guide
- —Runs its own flight controller on an ESP32 — not Betaflight or Pixhawk
- —Includes a Gazebo simulator and a Python library to practice safely
- —Default branch is 'master'; no root license file
Can I build this?
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
Partner · KickstarterCORE POWER BANK S: 0.2" thin, 2.8 oz, 5000 mAh with 22.5W fast charging. Semi-solid battery, carbon fiber, IPX7 waterproof.
Videos
Flix v1 — minimalistic ESP32-based quadcopter
The creator's demo of the from-scratch drone.
Gallery
Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 1.Read the repo docs (assembly, setup, flight (branch: master))
- 2.Watch the demo (see it fly)
- 3.Try the simulator first (Gazebo sim + Python lib, no crashes)
- 4.Get the BOM and print the frame (STL + STEP included)
- 5.Read the textbook (in progress) (the theory behind it)
Resources
Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.
KNOWN ISSUES
- Default branch is 'master' — make sure you're on it
- No root license file — check before reusing the firmware
- It's a real flying machine — props and LiPo demand care, and you must follow local drone regulations
- Practice in the Gazebo simulator before flying to avoid crashing real hardware
Does the flight controller really run on an ESP32?
Yes — the entire flight controller is custom firmware on a low-cost ESP32, not Betaflight or Pixhawk. That's the whole point, and it's great for learning.
Can I practice without crashing?
Yes — there's a Gazebo simulator and a Python library, so you can fly and debug in software before building or after a repair.
How do I control it?
With a gamepad. The docs cover setup, flight, tuning and log analysis.
What does it cost?
Band $ — the ESP32-based design is deliberately cheap. The BOM has current prices.
Community builds
No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.
Discussion1
FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM
Flix flies on roughly two thousand lines of custom Arduino firmware running on a bare ESP32 — no Betaflight, no Pixhawk. Would you trust your first from-scratch flight controller in the air?
Oleg Kalachev
Wrote a complete quadcopter flight controller for a cheap ESP32 and open-sourced everything — CAD, firmware, a Gazebo simulator and a forthcoming textbook — to teach drones from the ground up.
Keep building — related projects
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DISCLAIMER
- Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
- Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
- Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
CompareeTEAM1mo ago
The part of this project we think is underrated: it ships a full Gazebo simulator and a Python library, so you can crash virtually before risking real props — the creator explicitly recommends it. Two housekeeping notes from our read: the default branch is 'master', and there's no root license file, so check before reusing the firmware. Has anyone flown one — how does the hand-rolled controller feel versus Betaflight?